Kleese reunion held July 17

The 84th Kleese Reunion was held July 17, at the Marr Park Conservation Center East of Washington.

President Amy Starbuck welcomed the group and Raymond Powell asked the blessing before the cooperative meal.

Patricia Dusenbery, Kleese family historian reported three marriages, nine birth?s and three deaths during the past year.

Lydia Starbuck, age 3, was the youngest family member present. Marjorie Zimmermann and Beverly Dillon of Greely, Colorado, traveled the farthest.

Wilma Wright attended many reunions and Patricia Dusenbery was the oldest, traveled the least and attended many reunions.

Correspondence was read from family members who could not attend. Tom Bauer shared memories about the Harry Kleese dining table and dining chairs and painting of the Harry Kleese homestead. A Civil War canteen belonging and used by Isaac Kleese was displayed. Vintage photograph albums assembled by the historian were present. Rita Phipps was elected President for the 2017 year: Joe Wright vice president; Ruth Maddalozzo secretary; and Patricia Dusenbery remains family historian.

The 2017 reunion is set for the third Sunday in July at a place to be determined.

Family members informed the group about the happenings in their family during the past year.

Those relatives attending were: Sonny and Rita Phipps, of Washington; Brian and Anne Phipps, of Bettendorf; Wilma Wright, of Keota; Joe Wright, of Keota; Marjorie Zimmermann, of Greely, Colorado; Beverly Dillon, of Greely, Colorado; Tom and Sandy Bauer, of Iowa City, Brett and Laura Bauer, of Coralville; Raymond and Nancy Powell, of Creston; James and Kathy Starbuck, of Queen City, Missouri; Amy Starbuck, of LeMay, Missouri; Jason Starbuck and children Nate, Jon, Riley and Lydia of Maryland Heights, Missouri; C.J. and Vivian Griffith, of Washington; Ted Griffith, of Washington; Dennis Griffith, of Iowa City; Patricia Dusenbery of Washington, and Dave and Ruth Maddalozzo, of Seymour.